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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported one in 36 children around the U.S. has autism spectrum disorder. (Adobe Stock)

Creating a supportive classroom for students with ASD

April is Autism Acceptance Month and as rates grow, support organizations in South Dakota hope more children on the spectrum get the tools they need …

South Dakota's largest teacher's union said while the state has made progress in compensating educators, it still lags behind neighboring states. (Adobe Stock)

Teacher pay proposal advances in SD Legislature

South Dakota lawmakers are taking a close look at teacher pay this session. A specific plan to establish salary requirements cleared the House this …

According to recent National Education Association rankings, South Dakota has consistently landed near the bottom in the area of teacher compensation. (Adobe Stock)

SD to see renewed debate over teacher pay

As they head into winter break, South Dakota school districts and their teachers are in a waiting period to find out what future state funding looks …

Cognia, a nongovernmental organization that accredits primary and secondary schools, says declining birth rates might make it harder for colleges and universities to maintain solid enrollment in the coming years. (Adobe Stock)

State universities address affordability amid concerning forecasts

States like North and South Dakota are in a fierce battle to keep college affordable as public schools navigate the ebbs and flows of enrollment trend…

South Dakota's Thunder Valley Development Corporation is recruiting teens and young adults to help mentor children on the Pine Ridge Reservation. The organization's summer leadership academy also gives local youth a chance to learn critical thinking skills. (Photo courtesy of Thunder Valley)

Some SD Native American youth get a helping hand from peers

November is Native American Heritage Month, and a South Dakota organization is working to help establish leadership skills for Indigenous youth…

People with additional years of education beyond high school tend to be more civic-minded and interact more with neighbors and family members, according to a recent Gallup poll. (Adobe Stock)

Amid polarizing issues, high schoolers can use guide when choosing college

By Jon Marcus for The Hechinger Report.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Greater Dakota News Service reporting for The Hechinger Report-Public News S…

Groups trying to prevent bullying say simple things such as sparking conversations in the classroom about each student's favorite TV show can help establish inclusiveness. (Adobe Stock)

Sense of community at heart of anti-bullying messaging

This weekend marks the kickoff of National Bullying Prevention Month. Those raising awareness hope schools in South Dakota and elsewhere work toward …

Health and environmental experts say even just low-level exposure to lead in drinking water can negatively affect a child's development. (Adobe Stock)

Education, Environmental Groups Press for Safe Drinking Water in Schools

With kids in South Dakota and around the nation back in school, the issue of whether all students and staff have access to safe drinking water …

South Dakota's Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation is trying to reclaim and restore historical elements of the Lakota language. Organizers said data sovereignty will play a big role in ensuring younger generations in the region have access to the teachings. (Photo courtesy TVCDC)

Data Sovereignty Movement for Native Populations Reaches SD

Around the U.S., there are efforts among tribal nations to reclaim stolen land from colonization and preserve language history, and a South Dakota …

Several groups representing Native American college students say the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to largely remove affirmative action from college admissions is

SCOTUS Ruling on College Admissions Felt by Tribal Education Leaders

Advocates for underrepresented college students continue to assess the fallout from last week's U.S. Supreme Court decision dealing with affirmative …

In findings compiled by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the average annual cost of care for one child in the U.S. was $10,600 in 2021, one-tenth of a couple's average income, and more than one-third of a <br />single parent's income. (Adobe Stock)

Child Care Access Hovers Over SD Child Well-Being Report

An annual report measuring child well-being in the U.S. said several benchmarks have worsened overall. States like South Dakota fared better in the …

According to the National Education Association, there's been a 2% increase in the average public school teacher salary across the country. (Adobe Stock)

In SD, Complexities Surround Teacher Appreciation Week

Teacher Appreciation Week is underway. In South Dakota, there's a mixed outlook from educators on whether they feel supported. Coinciding with this …

The Aspen Institute says more than 1.5 million people attend the nearly 500 community colleges in rural parts of the U.S. (Adobe Stock)

Report: SD Tech College Bucks Enrollment Trend

Community colleges in the U.S. have struggled with enrollment declines. But a new report says schools in smaller towns and cities, including South …

As South Dakota gathers public feedback on proposed social studies standards, more than 1,000 comments from opponents have been submitted. (Adobe Stock)

Social Studies Standards Debate in SD Enters Home Stretch

South Dakota's education department is still accepting public comment over proposed changes to social studies standards for public schools. Ahead of …

Challenges such as declining enrollment are creating obstacles within higher education, but new data show that certain post-secondary attainment rates have been inching upward. That includes those earning certificates. (Adobe Stock)

College Certificates Appear to be Attractive Career Path in SD

South Dakota is making gains in college students earning a certificate or similar credentials for specific careers. Those numbers are detailed in a …

South Dakota's dual-credit program allows high school students to take college-level courses and earn credit toward a diploma, while racking up college credits ahead of schedule. (Adobe Stock)

SD Plan: More Students Could 'Make the Grade' in Career Readiness

Like other states, South Dakota has a program allowing high school students to take courses offered at universities and technical colleges. Now…

According to the National Institute of Justice, childhood abuse or neglect raises the chance of juvenile arrest by 59%. In South Dakota, advocates say that's why it's important to provide more mental health providers to children and young adults so they can avoid entering the juvenile justice system. (Adobe Stock)

Reducing Effects of Childhood Trauma Tied to SD's Juvenile-Justice Efforts

South Dakota has been looking at ways to improve the state's juvenile-justice system. Recommendations could be considered in the new legislative …

The average teacher salary in South Dakota is just below $50,000. Organizers behind a recruiting program say connecting with high schoolers about the profession can help overcome some of the barriers. (Adobe Stock)

SD Embraces Movement to Inspire Future Teachers

Teacher shortages have been a focal point in the world of education, but some working in the field say there should be more conversations about the …

Oglala Lakota College is one of 32 fully accredited Tribal Colleges and Universities in the United States. (Photo courtesy olc.edu)

Tribal Colleges: Strong Voter Turnout Helps SD Campuses

South Dakota is home to three tribal colleges and universities. Higher education leaders for Indigenous populations say they hope to see strong …

Educators from across South Dakota say newly proposed social studies standards might help students memorize facts for tests but will not help them develop critical-thinking skills for the outside world. (Adobe Stock)

SD Holds First Public Hearing in Social Studies Standards Debate

A South Dakota education panel has kicked off the public-hearing phase in the state's latest effort to update social studies standards. Many …

Roughly 30% of South Dakota high school graduates do not move on to post-secondary education. That's prompted calls for making college more affordable to ensure these students can obtain more credentials before joining the workforce. (Adobe Stock)

Student Loan Forgiveness Impact on SD Trade Schools

Reactions keep pouring in following this week's student loan forgiveness announcement by President Joe Biden. In South Dakota, the trade school …

A new Indigenous academy in South Dakota, geared for younger students, says it wants the kids to have a deep sense of belonging, higher engagement and motivation. (Adobe Stock)

New SD Tribal Academy Readies for Fall Start

Organizers behind a new Indigenous school in western South Dakota hope they can give young Native American students a more optimal learning environmen…

The national Girls on the Run Program has been available in South Dakota since 2006. (Adobe Stock)

'Girls on the Run' Looks to Build Life Skills for SD Youths

In early August, fall registration opens at several South Dakota locations offering a national program geared for grade-school-age girls. It combines …

Education experts say issues in local schools often were free of political divisiveness, but the issue of race in curriculum has become a flashpoint for state legislatures. (Adobe Stock)

SD's Noem Issues Executive Order Surrounding Race Curriculum

Despite legislative pushback, South Dakota is moving forward with plans viewed as limiting certain teachings about race in public schools. Gov…

In a recent national survey, roughly half of college students who responded conveyed symptoms of depression or anxiety. That's prompted calls for mental-health resources on campuses. (Adobe Stock)

Evaluating College Campuses on Suicide-Prevention Resources

The academic year is winding down for college students, and in South Dakota, some might notice a more responsive campus in terms of suicide …

Recent national polls show the public is generally split on whether schools should enhance teaching about contemporary racism. (Adobe Stock)

SD Educators: 'Divisive Concepts' Bill Confusing, Shortchanges Students

Bills have surfaced in nearly 30 states to crack down on public-school curriculum, with systemic racism as the focal point. Some bans have been …

In South Dakota, average teacher pay is $48,984, the lowest in the nation. (Adobe Stock)

Teacher Pay Bill Advances in SD

South Dakota continues to grapple with its low ranking when it comes to paying schoolteachers, but the issue is getting focus in 2022, including a …

States such as South Dakota have routinely debate bills in recent years viewed as hostile toward the LGBTQ community. (Adobe Stock)

SD Poised to See More Debate Over LGBTQ Bills

South Dakota lawmakers are scheduled to begin a new legislative session this week. Like previous years, bills surrounding Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual…

In a recent survey, nearly one in four U.S. teachers said they were likely to leave their jobs. (Adobe Stock)

SD Teacher: Fellow Educators Should Embrace Holiday Recharge

South Dakota schools now are in holiday break mode, and one teacher urges educators to use the time wisely to recharge their batteries during a …

The average teacher salary in South Dakota is just below $49,000 a year. (Adobe Stock)

Following Noem Speech, SD Educators Press for Funding Increase

PIERRE, S.D. - South Dakota's teachers' union says while there are still a lot of unknowns, it's hopeful the governor's new budget proposal leads to …

The ACLU says it's possible legal action could be taken against South Dakota leaders over their handling of Native American references in updating social studies standards. (Adobe Stock)

Legal Question Hangs Over SD Social-Studies Process

PIERRE, S.D. -- A new framework is moving forward for updating social-studies standards in South Dakota schools, and as the process took shape…

State leaders say proposed changes to South Dakota's social studies standards have resulted in an overwhelming response from the public. (Adobe Stock)

Despite Delay, Tribal Opponents of SD School Standards Won't Let Up

PIERRE, S.D. - While South Dakota hits the reset button on updating social studies standards for schools, tribal groups opposed to the plans say …

Without guidance from states, education researchers say, incorporating 9/11 lesson plans can be a difficult balancing act for teachers. (Adobe Stock)

9/11 Curriculum Still Slowly Surfacing in Schools

PIERRE, S.D. -- South Dakota is in the process of updating social studies standards for public schools. It comes amid national conversation about 9/11…

Advocates say South Dakota has made progress in compensating teachers, but still lags behind neighboring states, including trailing North Dakota educators by $4,000 in annual salary. (Adobe Stock)

South Dakota Grapples with Teacher Shortage

BELLE FOURCHE, S.D. - Students across South Dakota are getting settled into the new school year, even as some districts still are trying to fill a …

An annual well-being report says South Dakota has seen worsening child obesity numbers over the past decade. (Adobe Stock)

SD Ranks Near Middle for Child Well-Being

PIERRE, S.D. -- A mixed bag of news can be found for South Dakota in the latest report measuring child wellbeing in the U.S. As families emerge from …

A number of U.S. surveys from this past school year indicated students encountered difficulties in learning, especially in math and reading, as they adjusted to the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Helping SD Students Recover from COVID Learning Loss

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The school year is winding down, but many educators and parents will make use of the summer to ensure kids can get back on track …

As the coronavirus spread across South Dakota last year, the state's public universities put mask mandates in place. But the South Dakota Department of Education allowed K-12 districts to make their own decisions. (Adobe Stock)

After Anxious Year, SD Teachers Now Receiving Vaccinations

RAPID CITY, S.D. - South Dakota teachers can now get their COVID vaccinations as new eligibility phases kick in. In a state that prioritized …

This year, the South Dakota Legislature has considered anti-LGBTQ bills concerning such issues as birth-certificate changes and who can compete in women's high-school sports. (Adobe Stock)

Mix of Hope, Fear as SD Transgender Advocates Organize

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Over the weekend, LGBTQ advocates held demonstrations in seven cities across South Dakota to rally against legislation viewed as …

During the pandemic, a handful of South Dakota school districts have given bonuses to teachers, but advocates say the state needs to live up to its promise to gradually boost educators' salaries each year. (Adobe Stock)

SD Lawmakers to Debate Teacher Pay Raises

PIERRE, S.D. - South Dakota lawmakers begin the 2021 session next week. As the budget takes shape, how big a raise public school teachers could …

Nationwide, according to a new report, one-third of adults with children are likely to have to leave their homes due to eviction or foreclosure as a result of the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Crisis Weighs Heavily on SD Households with Kids

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The economic fallout from the pandemic is evident in a new report on the struggles of households with children. The findings …

Leslie Crow is a Lead Teacher at Okreek School within the Todd County School District. The school is located on South Dakota's Rosebud Indian Reservation. (Photo courtesy of Moses Mitchell)

SD Teacher: Schools Need More Native American History

ROSEBUD, S.D. -- The "one-sided" version of Thanksgiving often taught in public schools has long frustrated Native Americans, especially as it occurs …

According to a new survey, 62% of South Dakota educators who responded said they didn't feel they were given enough training to navigate both in-person and online lessons during the crisis. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: SD Teachers Say They're Overwhelmed During COVID

PIERRE, S.D. -- Nearly two months into the school year, South Dakota teachers say they're feeling the weight of extra work brought on by the crisis…

This fall, 7,177 students are enrolled at South Dakota's four technical colleges. That compares with 7,122 in fall 2019. (Adobe Stock)

SD Trade Schools Seen as Opportunity During Crisis

PIERRE, S.D. -- South Dakota's public universities are showing an overall decline in enrollment this fall. But the student population for technical …

Rapid City has seen longstanding tensions between Native American communities and the white population over 1,200 acres of land that once belonged to an Indian boarding school. Various groups and Native American leaders say the land was stolen from tribes and paved the way for unlawful use. (Adobe Stock)

Mending Fences: SD Church Provides Space for Indigenous Students

RAPID CITY, S.D. -- Many South Dakota schools returned to in-person learning this fall. But that's not an easy decision for all families during the …

Union leaders say South Dakota educators and schools have seen some issues in obtaining PPE. That's why they say requiring masks in schools would be a big help in preventing the spread of COVID-19 among students and staff. (Adobe Stock)

SD Teachers Union Says Masks Can Limit Schedule Disruptions

PIERRE, S.D. -- Most South Dakota students are back in class, but that hasn't erased concerns about the coronavirus spreading in schools, with some …

While most public schools in South Dakota will provide in-person learning this fall, many schools on Native American reservations have opted for distance learning. (Adobe Stock)

Hard Decisions for Native American Educators on Reopening Schools

LOWER BRULE, S.D. -- Native American educators say they're in a tough bind in preparing for classes this fall. Their communities are more vulnerable …

Many educators say the recent protests over systemic racism should inspire more training for school teachers to discuss these issues in the classroom. (Adobe Stock)

Talking to Students About Systemic Racism

PIERRE, S.D. -- The killing of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis has amplified calls for white people to openly discuss systemic racism…

Education experts say the learning inequities made worse by the pandemic could persist into the next couple of school years. (Adobe Stock)

SD Not Immune to Distance-Learning Disparities

STURGIS, S.D. -- Concerns over distance learning gaps have popped up with schools around the country shut down in the pandemic, and those concerns …

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SD: Education